I was at the Ripon/Oshkosh game and did notice a few things first and foremost.  Oshkosh and most WIAC schools have better athletes, hands down, that is the huge difference.  Every guy at UWO was an inch or 2 taller and probably 15-20 lbs bigger and just as fast.  I think Ripon played okay in the first half and held it close, turnovers and penalities (such as 2 personal fouls) certainly do not help when playing a much better team.

The debate is old and stupid...this isn't basketball where everyone competes on the same level, the WIAC is simply a football machine and I am okay with that.  Guys go to Ripon to continue to play and get an education, there seems to be more at stake, namely national titles at WIAC schools.  Most kids realize at Ripon and other MWC schools that winning the conference is the big deal and making the playoffs gives them an extra game.  Competing on a national level will never happen in the MWC, period.  SNC had many chances and still haven't reached that point..now other schools have caught up to them and the conference is balanced again. 

Oshkosh holds something like 15-13 advantage all time over Ripon, having last played in 1987...so 20+ years ago and beyond it was a different world in DIII football where it was more level.  Now, it seems they are paying coaches a good chunk of change to turn their programs around in the WIAC and even in the MWC so as much as others will say DIII hasn't take the step, I dare any of you to watch a WIAC team play anyone else outside of their conference and see the difference in talent, coaching and how important it is to be No. 1, not just giving kids another opportunity to shape their lives being leaders like I feel this conference is about.

Ripon now runs a southern veer or slotbone offense with two wings and a fullback and other such combinations.  You will option, option, dive etc.  Rick Coles runs the offense and had great success at LU and Coe running this.  It can be tricky to stop and I enjoy watching it moreso than your typical offensive scheme. 

I think Oshkosh will be a tough test for Ripon.  10 years ago I have no doubt those Ripon teams would have beat Oshkosh.  I am glad to see this game happening no matter the outcome and hope they continue it.  I doesn't hurt recruiting and gives kids a chance to play against many of the guys the faced in the area in high school.

Go Hawks is in the house.  Start the Ripon bashing.  I forgot about this site until I read an article in JournalSentinel today.

Ripon/UWO:
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/sports/stories/sports_22780495.shtml

How did Ripon beat LFC you ask?  The box scores spells it out, time of posession and running 84 offensive plays.  Scoring inside the 20 and playing sound defense.  Letting Faulds pass and run for as much as he did was the killer.  I am glad to see Coach Ernst call a great game in second half and make some adjustments, the d is looking much better. 

Monmouth, you guys like pretty good.  Wait a few weeks until you are 7-0 and you will get moved up in the top 25.  I hope you don't have a let down, because the way you guys are looking this could be a great a season.

Lake Forest will have a good shot at beating Ripon this weekend, but only if their defense plays an awesome game.  That has been the only thing keeping LF in games.  Ripon put up over 400 yards rushing again last week and was stopped 3 times inside the 10.  Coles suprisingly decided to run the clock instead of trying to put another score on them with about 20 seconds left. 

I have a hard time believing Monmouth goes undefeated this year.  They still have to play all their boys from the South yet.  It is hard to keep that momentum going after having one of the biggest wins of your program's history.  It has been almost 30 years since you guys won a title, and not saying you can't do it, but before everyone says they are champs, remember they still have 7 games to go.

It is going to be between SNC and Monmouth.  SNC may be having some tough luck right now, but until somebody else wins the conference outright, they are the team to beat.

Ripon used to play Elmhurst and yes, they were a cupcake.  Next year Ripon has UW-O.  I think the conference has to continue to play stronger teams, that is the only way we will ever get two bids to the playoffs.  Monmouth was the only 9-1 team to not make it remember.  SNC will win the conference, and by the end of the season they will get redemption somehow.

As for Ripon/Grinnell.  This game is the reason why we need to get rid of MacCalester.  When you want a preseason tune up and play guys who might be starters and get them some reps, you can't do against a conference team.  I know in the 2nd half Ernst pulled some defensive starters to get other some time, and this may have been the reason for the comback.  The offense looks great and Birschbach is a stud.  Faulds has improved his fakes and many times made great reads for large gains on 3rd down.  The defense is already better than last year.  With Quade back at lb and this transfer, Kellett starting they are pretty solid.  I would bet Ripon finishes no worse than 7-3, they have some room for improvement and are not there yet, but are very young and start maybe 7 Seniors.

Press release for the season, it is long so you SNC guys might want to read it in pieces:

RIPON, WIS. -- St. Norbert (9-2, 9-0 MWC) was picked to finish first in the 2005 Midwest Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll.  The poll was voted on by head coaches at participating member institutions. The Green Knights, who received eight of the nine possible first-place votes, have won 18 consecutive MWC games and 43 of their last 45 conference contests. Monmouth College (9-1, 8-1) grabbed the two remaining first place votes to finish  in second. Lake Forest (8-2, 7-2) was tabbed to finish third, while Carroll (3-7, 3-6) was picked fourth. Illinois College (6-4, 5-4) and Ripon (5-5, 4-5) tied in the #5 slot. The final four spots were rounded out by Grinnell (6-4, 5-4), Beloit (3-7, 2-7), Knox (1-9, 1-8) and Lawrence (2-8, 1-8).



Jim Purtill's group has held at least a share of the past six MWC titles and has appeared in the postseason a league-best six times. Purtill welcomes back All-American candidate Casey Meehan (1,707 all-purpose yd, 25 ap td) at running back, while first team All-MWC wide receiver T.J. George (52 rec, 856 yd) also returns. The defense losses five All-MWC players to graduation, but Tony Mendina (69 tckl, 3 int) and Anthony Triner (2 int) are back to anchor the defensive backfield.



2004 MWC Coach of the Year Steve Bell and the Monmouth College Fighting Scot were the only 9-1 team in the nation who did not qualify for the playoffs last season. The Scots have reason to believe their luck will change this season, as the quarterback-wideout tandem of Mitch Tanney (1,952 yd, 24 td) and Evan Haffner (36 rec, 911 yd, 11 td) lead a potent offense. Ryan Bast (10 career int) has shutdown potential at corner, but the three others starters are gone from one of the nation's top pass defenses a year ago.



Brent Becker takes over as head coach at Lake Forest after serving as defensive coordinator for the Foresters the past two seasons. Becker's defensive units, which have produced the past two MWC Defensive Players of the Year, have ranked among the best in the country. Linebacker Louis Bertuca leads the defense this season after registering 63 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2004. The offense should be solid as well, as the Foresters return all-conference quarterback Matt Mahaney (2,436 yd, 13 td).



Carroll could be the darkhorse in this season's MWC race. Jeff Voris' team's 3-7 record from a year ago is deceiving, as the Pioneers lost by one point to MWC champion St. Norbert and also fell to Lake Forest and Grinnell by a combined seven points. Wide receiver Adam Fletcher (75 rec, 975 yd, 13 td) and linebacker Chris Albanese (83 tckl, 3 sck) will lead their respective sides of the ball.



Illinois College and head coach Aaron Keen fell four points shy of a seven-win season last year and return with much of their team still intact. Pete Jennings is back after throwing for 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. He will be joined in the backfield by 1,000 yard rusher Jarid Crain (1,230 yd, 11 td).





After winning 11 games over the past two seasons, Ron Ernst looks to return the Red Hawks to the form they showed in 2001, when the team finished 8-2 and won a share of the MWC crown. Ryan Morgan, Tim Peters and Zach Davidson were All-MWC selections in 2005 and return to lead the defense. Bob Faulds threw for 1,431 yards and 14 touchdowns in his sophomore season.



Grinnell head coach Greg Wallace will depend heavily on standout quarterback Sean Pfalzer this season. Pfalzer ranked 18th in the nation in total offense a season ago, averaging 269.9 yards per game. He also tossed 17 touchdowns and ran for two scores as well. The Pioneers will need to improve on a rush defense that ranked second to last in the conference in 2004.



Ed DeGeorge enters his 29th and final season at Beloit. Four-year starter Nate Skelton, who has thrown for over 3,700 yards in his career, returns to lead Beloit's wing-t offense. The Buc's offense finished 22nd in the nation in rushing offense (241.5 ypg) last season and leading rusher Lee Rankinen (1,196 yd) is also back. The Buc's defense will depend on linebacker Adam Neiffer (122 tackles).



Andy Gibbons' young Knox squad lost by 13 points or less four times last season. The team showed improvement late in the season, defeating Illinois College 13-10 for its lone win of the season. The Prairie Fire have reason for optimism, as they return 18 starters and 44 letterwinners this year. Running back Kevin Megli is the Prairie Fires top scoring threat (903 yd, 5 td).



New Lawrence head coach Chris Howard welcomes back three All-MWC performers in his first season guiding the Vikings. Nick Korn is the offense's best weapon after catching 31 balls for 433 yards and six scores last year. Howard will look to improve his squad on the lines, after Lawrence finished last in the conference in rushing and defending the run in 200

I am not sure I like it that much either.  When I was at Ripon, I was introduced to email and used on campus comptuers.  By the time I was a senior, everyone had their own computer except me.

Oh well, I figure I will post enough to get my ratings back.  It is just a matter of time before the 10 guys from SNC tell me to eat dirt and hang out with their fat girlfriends.